MRabb Habitat for Humanity - Nepal Blog

Home Again

2009-03-28T07:38:00.000-07:00

Dear DU Brothers:

I just got back to my home in Boulder Colorado after 5 months in Nepal. I wanted to give you an update on my “tour of duty” in Nepal with Habitat for Humanity, and thank you for your interest and donations.

When Fratkins and Dave Watkinson suggested the DU-Habitat for Humanity Challenge to raise $2100 from Class of ’68, I was surprised and honored. We figured that this contribution would help fund seven houses in Nepal. In fact, with the help of some brothers in some other classes we raised $2825 which will support the construction of nine simple, decent houses for poor families in Nepal. This is absolutely outstanding! So thank you! Thanks to all the brothers who participated in this successful effort: Alex Watson, Bill Wolcott, Bob Coleman, Charles Hupfer, Dave Watkinson, Dick Rose '69, Dwight Allen, Fred Atkins '67, Howard Warren, Jake Elig, James Clark, John Nemeth, Joseph Ely, Smith Freeman, Robin Dial ’67, David Benbow ’67, Dan Howe ’67, Bill Snypes ’70, and anonymous!

Most of my time in Nepal was spent in the Habitat office in Kathmandu doing resource development. But last week they let me participate in a Habitat Global Village Team house build in Pokhara Neapal. Pokhara is a small town about 100 miles west of Kathmandu. The Global Village Team was made up of 16 volunteers from all over the world: USA, Canada, England, Germany, Australia, Dubai, Singapore. The team worked for 10 days with our local Habitat home-partners and built three houses. (You can see pictures of the team and houses on my blog: http://michaelrabb.blogspot.com.) These houses represent one type of construction that Habitat does in western Nepal using concrete block and stone.

In southeastern Nepal, Habitat usually uses bamboo and adobe plaster. There are also pictures of this type of house construction on the blog.

In October - December, Habitat-Nepal reports that they constructed 525 houses, renovated 35 and implemented training, safe water, and sanitation projects to serve 150 families. (I attach a copy of Habitat-Nepal’s 2^nd qtr newsletter.) The UNC DU donations will support this ongoing program in Nepal. Habitat and I thank you for your help!

Best regards,

Michael Rabb (Rabbi)

PS: Go Heels! (Jeanne and I have tickets to final four in Detroit and expect to be watching Tarheels!)

Global Village Builds Houses in Nepal!

2009-03-21T23:43:00.000-07:00

Last week travelled to Pokhara to tag on to a Habitat Global Village Team with members from all over the world: USA, UK, Canada, Dubai, Germany, Singapore. We helped built three houses with our home-partners and local artisans. Built two of concrete block and one of stone. Had to bust a lot of boulders and move a lot rock for the stone house! Visited a local school.

Important Security Announcement for American Citizens in Nepal

2009-03-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

From the American Embassy in Nepal, 13 MAR 09:

There is an ongoing strike in the Terai region of Nepal carried out by
various indigenous groups . This strike, or bandh, has affected all
vehicular movement in all of the districts of the Terai (the area
bordering India), including the popular tourist district of Chitwan.
The threat of violence as this strike continues is a real concern, and
in one instance, clashes between Tharus and the Nepal police forces left
3 people dead and numerous persons injured. As a precaution, the U.S.
Embassy is currently not allowing U.S. mission personnel to travel to
the Terai region. As negotiations are ongoing between the Government of
Nepal and demonstrating groups to bring a resolution to this conflict,
it is unclear how long the strike may continue. American citizens are
urged to defer non-essential travel to this region of Nepal while the
strike is in effect. If travel is necessary, Americans are advised to
exercise caution, to expect vehicular transportation to be disrupted,
and to avoid demonstrations should they come upon them.

- - - - - - -

In the western lowlands of the country, the Tharu ethnic community has long been dispossessed of its land and the Tharu people have been turned into serfs by wealthier migrants from the hilly regions to the north. These powerful landlords, or Zamindars ,as they are called, are more often than not members of so-called higher caste groups, mainly Brahmin and Kshetri, who also have access to political power. These Zamindars wield positions in the bureaucracy, the military and business. Moreover, they control the mass media. In short, they represent the most important section of the ruling class in Nepal.

Having appropriated the land from the Tharu community, the Zamindars subjugated the Tharus and turned them into bonded laborers (in return for food, clothing and shelter) on the very land they previously owned. This is a system of slavery known as the kamaiyasystem.

The Tharus are an aboriginal people who inhabit the western plains of Nepal. They constitute a sizeable minority of the population, a national minority (around 1.2 million), who at one time were self-sufficient farmers. Several years ago National Geographic magazine graphically portrayed these people as exotic beings with their very quaint customs and traditions. For many years the Anti-Slavery Society, based in Britain, has been trying to reach a wider audience about the Kamaiya system in Nepal. In 1997, the Times of London carried an exposure on the plight of the Tharu people under the Kamaiya system.

Habitat-Nepal Project Areas

2009-03-10T00:17:00.000-07:00

Lath & Plaster Bamboo Style

2009-03-09T22:48:00.000-07:00

Aruna Simittrarachchi, director of Habitat's Nepal program, visited Malaysia a couple of weeks ago to train Habitat partners in bamboo building methods. Looks like they've got the hang of it:

Springtime in Himalyas

2009-03-08T21:07:00.000-07:00

Cruised around Kathmandu Valley on a mountain bike Sunday. Apparently it was national water baloon day cause lots of smiling Nepali kids pelted me along my trek. Namaste!

2009-03-06T01:19:00.001-08:00

Habitat International representatives, James Samuel (Bangkok), and Mario Flores (Atlanta), visited Nepal and met with our staff to discuss Habitat's Disaster Response initiatives.

Met with CARE Nepal

2009-03-04T19:48:00.000-08:00

On Wednesday, March 4, Pranaya Chhetri, Habitat's Program Manager and I met with Alka Pathak, the Country Director for CARE Nepal at her office in Patan. We discussed ways that Habitat and CARE could collaborate on projects to help poor and marginalized groups in Nepal.

Pashupatinath Temple

2009-03-02T01:47:00.000-08:00

East of Kathmandu is beautiful Hindu temple -- saw this Sadhu holy man at the main site:

Kosi River Flood Video

2009-02-25T08:24:00.000-08:00

Check out this Al Jazeera film on the Koshi flood, Nepal side, from their series "People & Power" is available on You tube via the link below

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Rox4M1R5sA

Kavre Field Trip

2009-02-25T02:03:00.000-08:00

Aruna let me outof the office: Bal Devi showed me around Kavre village -- lots of neat Habitat projects -- water, sanitation & houses.

Trekking The Himalayas

2009-02-12T04:12:00.000-08:00

Wow!! Unbelievable! Great! 6-day trek to Langtang. Saw an actual avalanche!!

In search of Wild Rhododendron!

Made it to small fourteener! notice other mountains about twice as high.

Habitat Founder Dies

2009-02-03T19:25:00.000-08:00

From habitat.org:

We are deeply saddened by the unexpected loss of Habitat's founder, Millard Fuller, who died earlier today after a brief illness.

Millard was an inspiration to so many people – his gift of motivation and encouragement and vision was applied so generously. The ministry which has so impacted each one of us was made possible as God challenged Millard Fuller to venture forward seeking to be the hands and feet of Christ in this world – and in the many years of this ministry Millard challenged others not to follow him – but to follow Christ in serving the needs of the poor and to boldly reach out to alleviate their shelter burden.

The vision which God brought to reality through Millard and Linda Fuller will continue to grow – as the memory of Millard's commitment lives in the heart of the HFH ministry.

Millard often would describe himself – and his HFH co-workers as ordinary people whom God had called to do extra-ordinary things. Indeed Millard's faith opened to door for God to perform miracles through this ministry. May He continue to use all of us to continue to serve with that same commitment – that same strength of faith – that same devotion to serving the poor.

Habitat Superbowl Sunday!

2009-02-01T23:31:00.000-08:00

Forget the Steelers: the champions are my old fraternity brothers! Delta Upsilon of the University of North Carolina have stepped up to the challenge: these guys have exceeded their goal: $2895.00.

Nepali Safari

2009-01-27T00:06:00.000-08:00

Got to see Chitwan National Park in south-central Nepal: elephants and tigers and rhinos, oh my!

Uh Oh! Bird Flu!

2009-01-20T23:00:00.001-08:00

From US Embassy Nepal:
"As you may know, the Government of Nepal has confirmed an outbreak of
Avian Influenza in Kakarbhitta, Jhapa in eastern Nepal. Currently, bird
flu has been confirmed only in Jha district, although active
surveillance is in effect in 26 other districts which border India.
Culling began as soon as the outbreak was confirmed and continues in a
3km radius of the outbreak."

So no more chicken burgers! Actually the only area confirmed is extreme south east Nepal. So not too worried about this but will definitely keep an eye on situation.

Trekking Kathmandu Valley

2009-01-18T19:14:00.000-08:00

This weekend Jeanne and I hiked to a couple of villages on the eastern side of Kathmandu valley. Got to see the sunrise on Himalayas!

Site-Seeing in Kathmandu

2009-01-15T03:03:00.000-08:00

Jeanne and I got in a little side trip to Swayambunath Bhuddist Temple:

Back in Kathmandu!

2009-01-11T19:59:00.000-08:00

OK, made it back from USA! Jeanne decided to come over to do a little site-seeing. She plans to be here for 2 - 3 weeks.

We've got lots of work to do to get some grant proposals written. Happy New Year!

Happy Habitat New Year!

2008-12-31T06:08:00.000-08:00

Thanks to some unbelievably generous and old fraternity brothers, Habitat-Nepal is going to build another seven new houses in 2009! Fred Atkins and Dave Watkinson organized a bunch of my classmates from Univ. of North Carolina (1968) to donate! Thanks guys!

Home for the Holidays

2008-12-22T09:52:00.000-08:00

On Dec 18 headed back to Colorado for Christmas vacation. Jeanne picked me up at the Denver airport after 48 hours travel (whew!). Weather in Boulder is little colder than Kathmandu: it was -5 degrees F (-20 degrees C) Friday night:

Have a Jolly Nepali Christimas!

2008-12-11T01:09:00.000-08:00

Check out the Asia/Pacific Habitat Christmas Card: http://www.hfhap.org/christmas2008/flash.html

Turn Right At India!

2008-12-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

Made it to Biratnagar in SE Nepal -- hung out with the Red Cross/Red Crescent guys doing relief work for Kosi flood victims. Hired a car to go to Jhapa Habitat office (we just headed east until we bumped into India). Saw a couple of Habitat houses built in the last year:

Habitat is working with local partners to develop bambo contruction materials factory:

The Kosi River flood (happened in August during monsoon, the river breached a huge portion of levee and destroyed houses and farm land). Habitat is working with local government to do pilot project to relocate 50 families into permanent Habitat homes.

Check outh Habitat Nepal's web site: http://hfhi-nepal.blogspot.com/

2008-12-03T02:51:00.000-08:00

I joined Habitat for Humanity as full-time volunteer in November 2008, and am assigned as Resource Development Manager. I work in the Kathmandu Habitat office and duties include grant writing. I have been able, with lots of help from local Habitat folks, to put together a number of proposals, brochures, and concept papers for HFHI-Nepal programs and projects. Have also initiated “HFHI-Nepal Resource Development Plan – 2009” which provides roadmap for RD efforts for the next year. Also working on some office support systems, e.g., funder contact management database, RD collaboration web site. At the end of November I attended the Asian Forum conference on Corporate Social Responsibility and got to meet several HFH folks from all over Asia. Tomorrow (December 4) I will travel to Morang district in eastern Nepal to get a first hand view HFHI-Nepal’s projects in the Kosi River flood disaster zone.

Nepali Thanksgiving!

2008-11-30T22:21:00.000-08:00

OK, did not have turkey and dressing (or even green bean casserole with extra pepper). But manged to take a day off and headed over to Pokhara area west of Kathmandu. Hooked up with an excellent guide, Durga Tamang, who kept me on trail to some excellent views of Anapurnas.

Got to see sunrise on Macchapucchare (23,000ft) and Anapurna South (26,700 ft).

Here's clip of the Anapurnas:

2008-11-24T01:59:00.001-08:00

November 24: It's my birthday and I'm 62 years old!!!!

(Yes, I did file for social security!!)

Celebrated this morning with real American waffle at "Mikes Breakfast". Great restaurant right here in Kathmandu started by an old Peace Corps guy from Iowa!!

2008-11-24T01:49:00.000-08:00

Hey! I'm back in Kathmandu after attending a conference last week in Singapore. Habitat sent me to the Asian Forum for Corporate Social Responsibility. It is very interesting hearing how big corporations are integrating sustainability and community development into business strategy.

Site-seeing in Kathmandu Valley

2008-11-17T20:53:00.000-08:00

Here's clip of Durbar Square in Patan:

Getting Started

2008-11-17T03:09:00.000-08:00

Having a great time living and working in Kathmandu. Habitat has put me up with a nice family (I get my own room and get to share the tv room and bath.) Saturday walked all over Kathmandu and down to Patan (just southeast of Kathmandu).

Saw the great stupa, Swayambhunath Buddhist temple on a hill about 2 miles west of town.

Habitat Nepal Program

2008-11-11T22:15:00.000-08:00

Here's a brief description of the work Habitat is doing in Nepal:

HOME TO T H E MA J E S T I C Mount Everest, landlocked Nepal is also one of the poorest countries in the world. The majority of Nepalese live in villages and are dependent on agriculture, but severe floods, landslides and earthquakes threaten homes, fields and livestock.
A lack of employment and poverty has forced one in 10 of the rural population to migrate to the capital Kathmandu and other municipalities. A decade-long rebel insurgency has also driven people from villages to the cities in search of safety. Migration and urban growth have resulted in shortage of adequate housing in towns and cities, crowded living spaces and the growth of sub-standard housing. According to government data, nearly 430,000 families live in sub-standard housing.
Sub-standard housing frequently means structures with thatched roofs and straw walls, sometimes supported by pillars made of bamboo or old timber. Water is often unsanitary and few dwellings have toilets or electricity. These dilapidated houses are also a fire risk; nearly 10,000 families lose their homes to fire every year.
Habitat also partners microfinance institutions (MFI) to build houses using the Save & Build and Build in Stages housing microfinance models. MFI partners include co-operative bank Sahara Nepal, Nari Bikash Sangh, an NGO that is involved in the empowerment of rural poor and disadvantaged women, and village banks through Samjhauta Nepal’s links.
Each core house, 26 sq. m. in size, is constructed using cost-effective bamboo and “green” bricks. In Nepal, indigenous bamboo is suitable for use in house construction as it grows fast, is easy to use, environmentally friendly and durable. Bamboo can be used as poles, doors, windows, mats for wall and ceiling, and fence-posts. “Green” bricks are made of clay and unlike bricks burnt with firewood; they do not contribute to air pollution. The rural community can turn to growing and harvesting bamboo, and making “green” bricks as income-generating activities.

Nepali homeowner Pratibha Adhikari in front of her Habitat house with her daughter Sostika.

Each home partner family contributes sweat equity, or their own labor, in building their own house as well as those of others. Families also provide raw materials to reduce the loan they have to repay. The mortgage loan repayment period is less than three years and repayment averages US$7 per month.

Made it to Kathmandu!

2008-11-11T21:32:00.001-08:00

OK, after 36 hours of travel, made it to Kathmandu -- descending for approach into KTM you get a great view of the Annapurnas (like this one I snagged off of Wikipedia).

HFH Work Starts on 12 November

2008-10-14T10:30:00.000-07:00

Hi ! Jeanne and I took a trip to India the first part of October and decided to make a side trip to Nepal so we could meet with Habitat folks in Kathmandu. We arrived in Kathmandu on October 11 after a 10-hour bus ride from the Nepal border!

Here are a couple of pics from Durbar Square in Kathmandu:

hey! Interviewed with Aruna Paul, Program Advisor Habitat For Humanity Nepal on 12 October in Kathmandu. Start work as Resource Development Mananger on 12 November!!

India-Nepal Intinerary

2008-09-27T17:41:00.000-07:00

This is rough estimate (we have no reservations):

Monday 9/29 - Delhi wed 10/1 - Amritsar
thu 10/2 - Agra (Taj Mahal)
sat 10/4 - Gwalior
Mon 10/6 - Kajaruhu temple
Tue 10/7 - Varanasi
Wed 10/8 - Bodh Gaya
Thur 10/9 - Kathmandu (Nepal)
Sun 10/12 - Delhi
Tue 10/14 - Newark/Boulder